Read a full match report of the FA Cup third-round game between Middlesbrough
and Hull City at Riverside Stadium on Saturday Jan 4, 2014.

Aitor Karanka felt there was little to choose between the sides, but it was difficult to concur with the Middlesbrough head coach.

Hull City will enjoy few victories as routine as this, one which saw them progress to the last 32 of the FA Cup with a minimum of fuss and effort.

This has been a league fixture in four of the five previous seasons, but the clubs appear to be heading in opposite directions, a fact underlined by the Premier League visitors strolling to a win despite making nine changes.

"There's not a lot of distance between the sides," Karanka said after Middlesbrough, mid-table in the Championship, proved to be overly hospitable to a Hull side who ended a three-month wait for an away win. Steve Harper, the goalkeeper, ought to have been charged admission such was his under-employment. Karanka added: "I felt we had a chance going into the game, but we lacked intensity."

Harper's opposite number Dimi Konstantopoulos endured a forgettable Middlesbrough debut. Deputising for Shay Given after Aston Villa refused the Republic of Ireland international permission to play, hesitancy from Konstantopoulos allowed Aaron Mclean to break the deadlock with a powerful 10th-minute finish, the forward's first goal for 11 months on his return from a loan stint at Birmingham City.

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Nick Proschwitz doubled the advantage shortly after the hour, turning to fire home from close range after Liam Rosenior and Paul McShane combined to release George Boyd to square for the German to claim a second goal of the season. "It was a good, professional performance, and we'll look forward to the draw for the next round," Steve Bruce, the Hull manager, said.

Middlesbrough are set to sign Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo. The 20-year-old Nigerian international who spent last season on loan at Dutch side ADO Den Haag, will join the Teesside club on a temporary deal for the rest of the season.

"I'm happy because he's coming here to help and he gives us more options," Aitor Karanka, the Middlesbrough head coach, said.